November 30, 2015

Cornell Launches Search to Fill Judicial Administrator Position

The search is underway to fill the vacated position of Judicial Administrator after Mary Beth Grant J.D. ’88 assumed a new position three months ago as the senior dean of students for inclusion, engagement and community support.

The committee tasked with the search has launched a survey in hopes of receiving comments from the Cornell community about qualities it would like to see in the next J.A., who “receives, investigates and adjudicates complaints alleging violations of the Campus Code of Conduct,” according to the J.A.’s website.

The survey, open to all students, faculty and staff, has received over 120 responses as of Monday, according to Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life.

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“The survey was an attempt to gain broad feedback about the search and the J.A.’s office,” Lombardi said. “The idea was proposed during our initial meeting and the committee thought it would be a great attempt to inform our discussions.”

Following the initial meeting on Nov. 14, the search committee will meet again before Winter Break to discuss specific attributes and traits the committee is looking for in potential candidates.

The search committee aims to “attract the most diverse and broad pool of candidates as possible,” according to Lombardi.

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The search process includes an internal and external search for candidates, according to Juliana Batista ’16, Student Assembly president. After finding a list of qualified candidates, the Human Resource Department then selects which candidates to interview. The final decision will be made by President Elizabeth Garrett.

“The purpose of the survey is to find out what the students and the greater Cornell community expect from the next Judicial Administrator,” Batista said. “We want the committee and those involved in the search process to have a more nuanced perspective when making hiring decisions.”

Related

Ithaca College students have voted “no confidence” in President Tom Rochon, with 71.75 percent of the over 3,700 students who voted expressing no confidence, according to The Ithacan. The vote of no confidence comes after I.C. was rocked this semester by student and faculty protests that demanded Rochon step down due to his alleged mishandling of several race related incidents on campus.

Clarification appended
Students from the Cornell Organization for Labor Action are frustrated by the administration’s lack of action, after President Elizabeth Garrett acknowledged through a letter on Nov. 9, but did not approve, a Student Assembly resolution that calls for an investigation of labor practices at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar.